Vehicle mounted twin air compressor

[globalgregors]

I saw also the ARB "single" (my definition ), wondering what are the main disadvantages of this one compared to the "twin".

ARB high output on-board compressor 12V - Trail Nomad

The ARB On-Board High Performance 12 Volt Air Compressor is permanently mounted to your vehicle, including a full wiring loom with air locker solenoid plug in contacts, mounting hardware with reinforcing bracket and a quality compressor isolating switch.

www.trailnomad.be

I have no compressor experience. But I bought recently a cheap Chinese compressor of 24 €. I tested it, it works, but is indeed very slow!

The single is excellent, and if you're just pumping 1-4 tyres of 33" diameter or less is an appropriate choice. It is rated at a 50% duty cycle, which in practical terms means in takes longer to air multiple tyres, particularly in high ambient temperatures.

The twin is a better choice if you are planning to also fit the pressure tank, as between it's higher flow rate, 100% duty cycle and the contribution of the tank it allows you to run air tools, which would most often include an impact wrench (wheel nuts) and blow gun (housekeeping).
If you are travelling in convoy (eg likely airing up multiple vehicles) OR operating a vehicle with >33" diameter tyres the twin plus tank is probably the best option.

The twin 100% duty cycle is achieved by including a cooling fan and its 2x50% architecture. Again, in practical terms, it will produce more flow for longer at a given temperature. The installation pictured gives a sense of how much space it needs, noting that in that case it will be covered by interior trim, and no doubt drawers/whatever else is getting installed in the load space.

The twin has sufficient pressure to run the above air tools without the tank, but in this setup is unlikely to produce sufficient torque to remove/tighten wheel nuts.

Forums claim the dual is less reliable than the single, but one notes it is typically being run much harder than the single.
Related to this, final argument in favour of the twin is redundancy: if one cylinder fails, the compressor will continue to operate (albeit at a reduced duty cycle/flow rate) on the remaining cylinder.

For my use case: <=33" tyres, no pneumatic wrench, high ambient temperature, remote location, occasional convoy, using an Indeflate (eg pumping two tyres at once)... the twin trumps the single, but really not by much.

 

[Jonathan Hanson]

I saw also the ARB "single" (my definition ), wondering what are the main disadvantages of this one compared to the "twin".

ARB high output on-board compressor 12V - Trail Nomad

The ARB On-Board High Performance 12 Volt Air Compressor is permanently mounted to your vehicle, including a full wiring loom with air locker solenoid plug in contacts, mounting hardware with reinforcing bracket and a quality compressor isolating switch.

www.trailnomad.be

I have no compressor experience. But I bought recently a cheap Chinese compressor of 24 €. I tested it, it works, but is indeed very slow!

Even though he spells his name wrong I agree with Jonathon's thoughts on the differences between the single "High Output" and the Twin. However, I lean strongly toward the Twin. Its 100% duty cycle and fan cooling is a big advantage, and the speed means you are more likely to air down your tires when you should, because you know it won't take long to air them back up. Worth the investment.

 

[Jean Mercier]

The single is excellent, ...

Even though he spells his name wrong I agree with Jonathon's thoughts on the differences between the single "High Output" and the Twin. However, I lean strongly toward the Twin. Its 100% duty cycle and fan cooling is a big advantage, and the speed means you are more likely to air down your tires when you should, because you know it won't take long to air them back up. Worth the investment.

Thanks to Jonathon and Jonathan for the wonderful explanation!

 

[Pfk]

I will add one more very useful functionality the arb twin with air tank allows me to do is clean the exterior and interior of the car especially the hard spots that sand / mud gets stuck in.

it does not come with a digital or analog tire inflator included, just a standard hose to connect to your tire or to the tire inflator you purchase , but it does come with an air gun/ pistol like nozzle

 

[Jonathan Hanson]

I will add one more very useful functionality the arb twin with air tank allows me to do is clean the exterior and interior of the car especially the hard spots that sand / mud gets stuck in.

it does not come with a digital or analog tire inflator included, just a standard hose to connect to your tire or to the tire inflator you purchase , but it does come with an air gun/ pistol like nozzle

Yes! We carried a nozzle to blow dust off the back of the Troopy in the Australian and Namibian deserts. It really helped keep the inside cleaner.

 

[21DFND]

Pick up the Twin ARB air compressor today, Installing it over the weekend in the rear, I have installed a ORS draw system and have removed the hydraulic jack, I will be installing the air compressor in the area were the jack was. it will have to be mounted sideways with half of the compressor hanging out in the area behind the wheel arc and drawers. I have already trimmed some material out of the side panel to give it approx 50mm clearance top and bottom. Making up a bracket to mount it off the original screwed mounts for the jack bracket on one side and the other will be bolted to the draw system. I will post photos once complete.

 

[Rooballer]

I have installed a ORS draw system and have removed the hydraulic jack, I will be installing the air compressor in the area were the jack was.

Where are you going to locate your jack?

 

[AlanJ]

Pick up the Twin ARB air compressor today, Installing it over the weekend in the rear, I have installed a ORS draw system and have removed the hydraulic jack, I will be installing the air compressor in the area were the jack was. it will have to be mounted sideways with half of the compressor hanging out in the area behind the wheel arc and drawers. I have already trimmed some material out of the side panel to give it approx 50mm clearance top and bottom. Making up a bracket to mount it off the original screwed mounts for the jack bracket on one side and the other will be bolted to the draw system. I will post photos once complete.

Looks a great setup well done. Can I ask if the fridge is new? It is on my shopping list and keen to hear your thoughts

 

[21DFND]

Where are you going to locate your jack?

I will be bolting the jack bracket at the back of one of the draws.

 

[21DFND]

Looks a great setup well done. Can I ask if the fridge is new? It is on my shopping list and keen to hear your thoughts

yes only had if for a couple of months, I have used it a few times, cools down well, good insulation and works well as a freezer. got it on sale for $399 from Anaconda

 

[Tazzieman]

Where are you going to locate your jack?

I've never thought of doing it before but you could put the jack in a box and attach it to the roof rack.
Yes I know it would be a jack-in-a-box , but it might be an option.

 

[21DFND]

ARB Air Twin compressor all installed, Also added the ARB pressure control system. Bracket was a bit of work but is very solid, Used 100mm x 5mm flat bar and 50mm x 50mm x 5mm angle.

 

[Steveo]

ARB Air Twin compressor all installed, Also added the ARB pressure control system. Bracket was a bit of work but is very solid, Used 100mm x 5mm flat bar and 50mm x 50mm x 5mm angle.

Looks really good @21DFND , how long is the coily hose? hopefully reaches the front right wheel ok. And the rear right of the van/trailer.
Cheers
Steve

 

[21DFND]

Looks really good @21DFND , how long is the coily hose? hopefully reaches the front right wheel ok. And the rear right of the van/trailer.
Cheers
Steve

it is 7m, I also use the maxtrac indeflate twin hose, set the pressure control setting to either inflate are deflate 2 tires at the same time.

 

[Steveo]

it is 7m, I also use the maxtrac indeflate twin hose, set the pressure control setting to either inflate are deflate 2 tires at the same time.

sweet
thanks
steveo

 

[DenisM]

ARB Air Twin compressor all installed, Also added the ARB pressure control system. Bracket was a bit of work but is very solid, Used 100mm x 5mm flat bar and 50mm x 50mm x 5mm angle.

Great ingenuity! Well done!!

 

[Cam]

ARB Air Twin compressor all installed, Also added the ARB pressure control system. Bracket was a bit of work but is very solid, Used 100mm x 5mm flat bar and 50mm x 50mm x 5mm angle.

Looks great. Did you run the power from the 500A circuit powering the NATO plug? As I understand this draws 56A under load.

 

[21DFND]

Looks great. Did you run the power from the 500A circuit powering the NATO plug? As I understand this draws 56A under load.

Yes I run the positive 6 B&S cable from the 500 amp relay on the right side, I removed the trim along the bottom of the door opening which had plenty of room for the cable to be run across in conduit to the other side. The Negative went straight to the start battery on the left side.

 

[Cam]

Yes I run the positive 6 B&S cable from the 500 amp relay on the right side, I removed the trim along the bottom of the door opening which had plenty of room for the cable to be run across in conduit to the other side. The Negative went straight to the start battery on the left side.

Brilliant. Thank you!

 

[Cam]

Pick up the Twin ARB air compressor today, Installing it over the weekend in the rear, I have installed a ORS draw system and have removed the hydraulic jack, I will be installing the air compressor in the area were the jack was. it will have to be mounted sideways with half of the compressor hanging out in the area behind the wheel arc and drawers. I have already trimmed some material out of the side panel to give it approx 50mm clearance top and bottom. Making up a bracket to mount it off the original screwed mounts for the jack bracket on one side and the other will be bolted to the draw system. I will post photos once complete.

How do you find the ORS drawers? Only a few companies doing drawer for the Gren at the moment Drifta, ORS, XSPEC and a few OS. I like the MSA drawers, but could only fit a single in as it stands.